City of Beaufort to unveil parking kiosks

BEAUFORT - Dozens of downtown Beaufort coin-operated parking meters perched atop metal posts will be replaced in coming days by solar-powered computerized parking kiosks that accept cash, credit and debit cards and use English, Spanish and French.The changeover is scheduled to start today when city crews remove the parking meter posts along Bay Street, followed by a similar process in the Downtown Marina parking lot.Effective Thursday, downtown visitors will use the new electronic parking system, similar to using an ATM machine."We are taking the next two weeks to inform the community that we're getting ready to start the new parking system that we've been talking about for six months," said Scott Dadson, Beaufort City Manager. "It's a change to not have a parking meter sticking up out of the sidewalk, but it's a change we need to improve the beauty of downtown and to make parking more efficient."Also starting Thursday, it will cost $1 per hour to park at any metered space, up from the current 50 cents per hour. Parking fines for violators also go up Thursday: Tickets will be $10 if paid within seven days, increasing to $20 if not paid during that weeklong period.Parking rules are enforced downtown from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Parking is free on Sundays and city holidays such as July 4.

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